If you suffer from incontinence issues, Christmas is a time that could feel very overwhelming. It can leave us feeling anxious to be around our loved ones in case of little accidents and throws us off our usual routine. Planning ahead and making the right food and drink choices can help combat this. We want to help you enjoy Christmas and celebrate with your loved ones without concern.
We have come up with some tips to make life a little easier this festive period...
Avoid large quantities of alcohol.
We all love to celebrate the festive period with a few drinks here and there; however, when dealing with incontinence, alcohol can be a trigger. Large quantities of alcohol can cause diarrhoea and irritate the bladder, intensifying symptoms such as urgency and frequency. It can also leave you extremely dehydrated. Caffeine can also produce similar effects (so it may be an idea to take it easy on the gingerbread latte's). To help avoid issues and keep your bladder clear, it is important to remain hydrated and drink the recommended 6-8 glasses of water a day.
Consider your food options.
Christmas is a time when everyone loves to indulge in lots of different foods. However, it is important to be aware of those that can aggravate bladder or bowel conditions. Of course, everyone is different, and not everyone will have issues with food; trying small amounts and seeing if your body reacts is a good way to find out what works for you.
Artificial sweeteners can have a laxative effect, so food that is sweet, such as chocolate, can be best in smaller quantities. Foods such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and spicy foods, can cause irritation to the bladder.
It is not that you can not eat any of these foods at all; it is just that, as always, moderation is key.
Make sure you have enough supplies.
Order any supplies you may need over the Christmas period, and plenty of them. It is important to consider that most businesses have a shutdown period so that their employees can enjoy the holidays. Check with the company when their final deadline is for delivery in time for Christmas. If you are a customer of Abena, our customer services team will be able to inform you of this and give any advice if it is needed for deliveries.
Most importantly.. enjoy yourself and the time you get with your loved ones.
Relax and enjoy yourself this festive season. Everyone deserves to have some much-needed time with loved ones and a few treats here and there. Enjoy the food & drinks, and most of all, have fun!